Yardbarker: Billy Butlerhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/billy_butler/21137
Recent articles about Billy Butleren-usBilly Butler Could Become the Worst Runner EverWhile answering a question in my chat last Friday, I wound up navigating to Billy Butler‘s player page, and then I casually noticed that since he debuted a decade ago, he’s been worth about -9 wins on the bases. In the moment, that didn’t seem like something that was going to stick in my mind, but, here we are. You’re going to get a whole article about this.
Look, everyone knows that Billy Butler isn’t much of a baserunner. Butler certainly knows, which is why he laughs and calls attention to himself whenever he does anything good out there. I’ve written about his baserunning before, and it’s hard to go back to this without feeling like I’m making fun. My intention isn’t to be cruel. It’s just, hey, this is a site where we talk about numbers, and some of his numbers are crazy. Butler built a career around his bat, and he has a lifetime 115 wRC+. That’s great. Very few people on planet Earth could do that over one month, much less 10 years. Yet, as Butler’s bat has provided positive value,20 Dec 2016 17:40:20 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/billy_butler_could_become_the_worst_runner_ever/s1_8637_22752523
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/billy_butler_could_become_the_worst_runner_ever/s1_8637_22752523Billy Butler Could Become the Worst Runner Everhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_could_become_the_worst_runner_ever/s1_8637_22752523http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngJunk Diver: Billy Butler and Danny Valencia
The Oakland A’s are a fascinating team. In Charlie Finley they had one of the most colorful owners in sports history. Finley did everything from relocating the team to changing the name from Athletics to A’s to creating the unique white, green, and gold uniform look. The A’s have been managed by Tony La Russa. Underfunded, they took baseball research as far as they could. They became forever tied with Moneyball and Billy Beane’s creative roster construction.
The A’s aren’t afraid to make the big move whether it’s trading one of the best shortstop prospects—Addison Russell—for Jeff Samardzija. Or, a breakout star in Josh Donaldson the year before he wins an MVP award.
Which is why signing Billy Butler seemed so strange. Entering 2015, Butler had been trending downwards in nearly every metric. Additionally, he set careers lows in batting average and on-base percentage. And, he was far from his peak in doubles and home runs. Yet the Oakland A’s jumped on the then-free agent Royals DH with a three-year, $30 mill22 Sep 2016 10:30:41 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/junk_diver_billy_butler_and_danny_valencia/s1_11773_21906925
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/junk_diver_billy_butler_and_danny_valencia/s1_11773_21906925Junk Diver: Billy Butler and Danny Valenciahttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/junk_diver_billy_butler_and_danny_valencia/s1_11773_21906925http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDon’t be fooled, Billy Butler is not a thingBilly Butler is a guy you’ve heard of. He’s recognizable for a being six feet tall and weighing 260 pounds. He has a rather awesome nickname, “Country Breakfast,” which reflects his shape. All of this has made him into what you might call a “name.”
When the New York Yankees acquired Butler, some ears certainly perked up. The Yankees needed some help against left-handed pitching and here was this relatively well-known gentleman who might be able to help. So they picked him up and it cost very little. No risk, and a potentially great reward.
The problem is that there’s also no good reason to believe Butler can help the Yankees win baseball games. His unorthodox body shape would make one inclined to trust in his ability to hit baseballs a long way, but he really can’t do that with any consistency. This is a snapshot of Butler’s last three seasons with the bat:
Year
BB%
K%
ISO
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
fWAR
2013
6.8%
15.9%
.107
.271
.323
.379
95
-0.7
2014
8.7%
16.8%
.138
.251
.323
.390
99
-0.6
2015
7.19 Sep 2016 14:40:38 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dont_be_fooled_billy_butler_is_not_a_thing/s1_13058_21878038
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dont_be_fooled_billy_butler_is_not_a_thing/s1_13058_21878038Don’t be fooled, Billy Butler is not a thinghttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dont_be_fooled_billy_butler_is_not_a_thing/s1_13058_21878038http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngBilly Butler signs with YankeesBilly Butler’s unemployment stint did not last very long.
The DH signed with the New York Yankees on Wednesday, just days after being released by the Oakland A’s.
FOX’s Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees will use Butler against lefties. They got him as a platoon guy specifically for the next few weeks, as they will face multiple southpaws.
Source confirms: #Yankees sign Billy Butler. Will use him against lefties; they face seven in next 11 games. First reported: @Jonheyman.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 15, 2016
Butler tends to have more success against lefties than right-handed pitchers. This season he posted a .776 vs. lefties and a .685 OPS against righties.14 Sep 2016 23:05:37 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_signs_with_yankees/s1_127_21833149
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_signs_with_yankees/s1_127_21833149Billy Butler signs with Yankeeshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_signs_with_yankees/s1_127_21833149http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/8/f8819fba206010d278f9a950a97ad078aaaf798a/top_story/9220916.jpgA's teammates reportedly fight over sponsorshipBilly Butler was unavailable to play over the weekend after suffering complications following his fight with teammate Danny Valencia. Now we have an idea of what led to the fight.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser, the two Oakland A’s teammates fought on Friday night after Butler made some comments to a product rep about the cleats Valencia wears. The rep apparently noticed that Valencia had another company’s shoes in his locker, and Valencia dismissed the concern by saying he only wears them pregame. Butler apparently said otherwise to the rep and reportedly suggested the company drop Valencia.
Valencia then supposedly confronted Butler about messing with his endorsement deal, and Butler did not back down. They reportedly bumped heads in the clubhouse and Valencia punched Butler in the temple.
Butler was not scheduled to play on Friday night anyhow, but he missed games on Saturday and Sunday he otherwise would play in because of nausea and vomiting. Slusser says Valencia could face 22 Aug 2016 18:47:04 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/danny_valencia_billy_butler_fight_reportedly_over_sponsor_remark/s1_127_21628033
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/danny_valencia_billy_butler_fight_reportedly_over_sponsor_remark/s1_127_21628033A's teammates reportedly fight over sponsorshiphttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/danny_valencia_billy_butler_fight_reportedly_over_sponsor_remark/s1_127_21628033http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/c/fc5ffb73b793473edac2898398d196aeefbd2836/top_story/9364163.jpgA’s DH Billy Butler injured in altercation with teammateOakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler has missed each of the team’s past three games. The reason, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, is that Butler was injured in a clubhouse altercation with teammate Danny Valencia.
Who or what caused the incident remains to be seen. Valencia and Butler, however, have been teammates since 2014 and are known for “loud banter.”
“Butler and Valencia were teammates with Kansas City in 2014 as well as the second half of last year and this year in Oakland,” Slusser said. “And they are known to engage in a great deal of loud banter in the clubhouse and on the field.”
Valencia would not comment, except to say “No comment. What happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse.” Oakland manager Bob Melvin, as with the the rest of the Oakland clubhouse, was similarly hushed.
Wrapping up a down year, this is certainly not the kind of news that anyone associated with the A’s wanted.
Dealing with a bad season is one thing. A fight suggests that the clubho21 Aug 2016 19:40:42 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/as_dh_billy_butler_injured_in_altercation_with_teammate/s1_12680_21620212
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/as_dh_billy_butler_injured_in_altercation_with_teammate/s1_12680_21620212A’s DH Billy Butler injured in altercation with teammatehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/as_dh_billy_butler_injured_in_altercation_with_teammate/s1_12680_21620212http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngBilly Butler absolutely destroyed a no-hitter with this moonshot home runMILWAUKEE — Zach Davies took a no-hitter into the seventh before allowing a two-out home run to Oakland's Billy Butler, and it was a no-doubter.But the Milwaukee Brewers withstood a shaky ninth inning to hold on for a 5-4 win over the Athletics on Tuesday night.Davies (4-3) allowed two hits and three walks over seven innings while striking out five. Butler turned on an 0-1 fastball from Davies to end the shutout.The A's mounted their best rally in the ninth against closer Jeremy Jeffress after getting runners on second and third while trailing by three. One run scored on a groundout before another came home on a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Villar.With runners on the corners, Jeffress got Marcus Semien swinging on a pitch out of the zone before ending the game by getting Chris Coghlan to fly out to the warning track in left.Jeffress held on for his 16th save, narrowly preserving Davies' strong outing. The right-handed starter outdueled Oakland rookie Sean Manaea (2-4), who turned in seven solid inning07 Jun 2016 23:46:12 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_absolutely_destroyed_a_no_hitter_with_this_moonshot_home_run/s1_13180_21064141
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_absolutely_destroyed_a_no_hitter_with_this_moonshot_home_run/s1_13180_21064141Billy Butler absolutely destroyed a no-hitter with this moonshot home runhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_absolutely_destroyed_a_no_hitter_with_this_moonshot_home_run/s1_13180_21064141http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngBilly Butler Ran Into 10 OutsLast season, Billy Butler ran into 10 outs. If you didn’t know that before, you definitely know that now. And if you’re anything like me, now that you know that, you want to know what happened. Boy have I got the post for you. It’s this post!
I spent an embarrassing amount of time assembling different numbers. It wasn’t until I finished that I realized I didn’t really need them. What the numbers reveal, you already know to be true: Butler is a lousy baserunner. He’s one of the very worst baserunners, of his own time, and of all time. To think, he’s not even 30 for another four weeks. Billy Butler is going to slow down. Prior to slowing down, he’s still been historically bad, by whatever baserunning metrics you favor.
Baserunning success is a function of a few things. There’s speed, of course, but there’s also instincts. Beyond those, there’s coaching, and then there’s plain old luck. You’d figure that, over a career as long as Butler’s, the luck would basically even out. We always assume 24 Mar 2016 10:00:12 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/billy_butler_ran_into_10_outs/s1_8637_20543260
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/billy_butler_ran_into_10_outs/s1_8637_20543260Billy Butler Ran Into 10 Outshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/billy_butler_ran_into_10_outs/s1_8637_20543260http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDH Billy Butler ready for comeback year with Athletics MESA, Ariz. (AP) A grinning Billy Butler strolled into Oakland's spring training clubhouse early Saturday, a bright green Athletics duffel bag draped over his right shoulder to match his upbeat mood, then walked right up to pitcher Jesse Hahn and offered a fist bump. ''I'm an early guy, man,'' Butler declared. Indeed, he was among the first players to show up at Hohokam Stadium on a day only pitchers and catchers were due at the ballpark to check in for physicals ahead of the club's first workout Sunday. And Butler means business after a disappointing first season with the A's during which the veteran designated hitter batted .251 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. The 29-year-old Butler is confident his intense regimen all winter in Arizona will only benefit him early in spring after he was limited last year at this time because of wrist injuries that didn't allow him to swing a bat right away. ''We've got a long way to go,'' Butler said. ''It's Feb. 20. I'm ready to get started.'' This offseason, he woul20 Feb 2016 14:51:15 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dh_billy_butler_ready_for_comeback_year_with_athletics/s1_13180_20363818
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dh_billy_butler_ready_for_comeback_year_with_athletics/s1_13180_20363818DH Billy Butler ready for comeback year with Athleticshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dh_billy_butler_ready_for_comeback_year_with_athletics/s1_13180_20363818http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/6/76026884312c64866ea0973748587820942778e9/top_story/7869306.jpgNecessary Moves: Billy Butler, Oakland Athletics
Over the next 30 days, I’ll look at 30 players—one from each team—that I believe should be traded. Some will seem obvious, just as others will seem nonsensical. Some may also seem desperate, but it’s important to understand that this list is entirely subjective. A player can be deemed movable for any of the following reasons: production (or lack thereof), current and future team outlook, age, potential return value, salary, or even injury history.
Is it that time again in Oakland?
Fans of the Athletics are used to the cycle of competing for a few years, trading off their valuable assets, then starting all over—or at the very least, retooling—again. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Following the 2014 season, after they fell to the Kansas City Royals in the AL wild card game, Oakland traded third baseman Josh Donaldson to Toronto for Brett Lawrie and a few other pieces. The rebuild, as it were, had begun.
Donaldson went on to be named the American League MVP while Lawrie slashed just .260/.299/.407 with 29 doubles and 130 Nov 2015 09:50:10 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/necessary_moves_billy_butler_oakland_athletics/s1_11773_19971550
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/necessary_moves_billy_butler_oakland_athletics/s1_11773_19971550Necessary Moves: Billy Butler, Oakland Athleticshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/necessary_moves_billy_butler_oakland_athletics/s1_11773_19971550http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f0879bb3088a8a6cd7aea80f9cdbac649d71bc19/top_story/7864426.jpgButler frustrated first season with A's hasn't gone as plannedSigning Billy Butler to a three-year, $30 million free agent contract shortly after the 2014 season ended was a decidedly 'non-A's' move, but that's just what Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane did.The deal was met with skepticism from many, considering Butler's statistical decline over the past few seasons with the Kansas City Royals...and so far in 2015, their hesitance has been proven correct. Through 113 games with the A's, Butler is hitting just .235/.305/.355 with nine home runs - hardly a stat line befitting of a run-producer such as Butler is hoped to be. As you'd imagine given his struggles in Oakland, 'Country Breakfast' sounds rather frustrated about the whole ordeal. As he told John Hickey of Inside Bay Area, "My track record speaks for itself. It's a lot better than what I've done this year. It's one of those things where I've hit my first really true struggle since I've been in the big leagues."Butler also conveyed that he views the situation as a challenge for himself to 'figure it o20 Aug 2015 22:55:07 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/butler_frustrated_first_season_with_a_39s_hasn_39t_gone_as_planned/s1_8864_19390537
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/butler_frustrated_first_season_with_a_39s_hasn_39t_gone_as_planned/s1_8864_19390537Butler frustrated first season with A's hasn't gone as plannedhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/butler_frustrated_first_season_with_a_39s_hasn_39t_gone_as_planned/s1_8864_19390537http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/5/3589f517d781673af2ad9d17cf68ea626307cd31/top_story/7857351.jpg